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CITY · 2010 ACS

Altoona

Iowa · 14,541 residents · 11.867 sq mi
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The short version

Altoona is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $62,687. Population has grown 41% since 2000. Median home value is $159,900. Poverty is rare here, at 5.2% of residents. Households here earn about 28% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.7
US median: 37.2
More educated
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,541
+41%since 2000
from 10,345 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,225 / sq mi
+41%since 2000
from 872 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.7
+5%since 2000
from 32.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K10K14K19K23K1990201020202024Altoona
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,687
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,162 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,885
+42%since 2000
from $20,336 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
38.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
5.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.385
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Other services19.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration18.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Information11%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade7.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$159,900
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $113,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$675
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $559 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
63.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
24.9% rent
Vacancy rate
2.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
21.1%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 31.7% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.6
+13%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Altoona on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(9,848)
Black0.9%(94)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(171)
Asian0.5%(48)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.5%(779)
2010
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(13,573)
Black1.1%(159)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(420)
Asian1.1%(166)
Other1.1%(161)
Diversity Score15%(2,181)
Diversity Score
15
+99%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.2%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
95.1%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 93.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+80%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
85.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 85.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
3.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
16.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
41.3%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.2%
−37.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Pop 22,963
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Head to head

Compare Altoona to nearby cities

ALTOONA VS
Pleasant Hill
Income$90,508+44%
Home value$295,100+85%
Population11,239−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Bondurant
Income$135,674+116%
Home value$318,800+99%
Population9,647−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Des Moines
Income$65,932+5%
Home value$194,700+22%
Population212,086+830%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Ankeny
Income$108,198+73%
Home value$331,000+107%
Population77,833+241%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Altoona, Iowa?

Altoona, Iowa has about 14,541 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Altoona, Iowa?

The typical household in Altoona, Iowa earns about $62,687 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Altoona, Iowa expensive?

In Altoona, Iowa, the median home is worth about $159,900, and the typical rent is about $675 a month.

How educated are people in Altoona, Iowa?

About 32.2% of adults age 25 and over in Altoona, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Altoona, Iowa?

About 5.2% of people in Altoona, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Altoona, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Altoona, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,350 residents, a change of about 102 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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